Automated reservoir fill system

ABSTRACT

An automated reservoir filling system for a portable medical device is disclosed. The system includes a vial sealed by a septum partially filled with a liquid and a gas occupying a headspace. The system further includes a reservoir with a volume defined between a reservoir septum and a plunger head. The plunger head is coupled to a plunger arm which is further coupled to a drive system. Further included is a transfer system with a vial end that pierces the vial septum and remains in contact with the liquid, and a reservoir end that pierces the reservoir septum and remains in the reservoir volume. A controller coupled to the drive system to actuates the drive system automatically drawing fluid from the vial to the reservoir through the degas system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/467,950 filed on May 9, 2012 which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/484,590 filed on May 10,2011, both of which are specifically incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methodsgenerally related to filling reservoirs for portable medical devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to modern medical techniques, certain chronic diseases may betreated by delivering a medication or other substance to the body of apatient. For example, diabetes is a chronic disease that is commonlytreated by delivering defined amounts of insulin to a patient atappropriate times. Traditionally, manually operated syringes and insulinpens have been employed for delivering insulin to a patient. Morerecently, modern systems have been designed to include programmablepumps for delivering controlled amounts of medication to a patient.

Pump type delivery devices have been configured in external devices,which connect to a patient, and have been configured in implantabledevices, which are implanted inside of the body of a patient. Externalpump type delivery devices include devices designed for use in astationary location, such as a hospital, a clinic, or the like, andfurther include devices configured for ambulatory or portable use, suchas devices designed to be carried by a patient, or the like. Externalpump-type delivery devices may contain reservoirs of fluidic media, suchas, but is not limited to, insulin.

Examples of some external pump type delivery devices are described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/211,095, filed Aug. 23, 2005, titled“Infusion Device And Method With Disposable Portion” and Published PCTApplication WO 01/70307 (PCT/US01/09139) titled “Exchangeable ElectronicCards For Infusion Devices” (each of which is owned by the assignee ofthe present invention), Published PCT Application WO 04/030716(PCT/US2003/028769) titled “Components And Methods For Patient InfusionDevice,” Published PCT Application WO 04/030717 (PCT/US2003/029019)titled “Dispenser Components And Methods For Infusion Device,” U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0065760 titled “Method ForAdvising Patients Concerning Doses Of Insulin,” and U.S. Pat. No.6,589,229 titled “Wearable Self-Contained Drug Infusion Device,” each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

External pump-type delivery devices may be connected in fluid-flowcommunication to a patient or patient-user, for example, throughsuitable hollow tubing. The hollow tubing may be connected to a hollowneedle that is designed to pierce the skin and deliver an infusionmedium to the patient or patient-user. Alternatively, the hollow tubingmay be connected directly to the patient or patient-user through acannula or set of micro-needles.

In contexts in which the hollow tubing is connected to the patient-userthrough a hollow needle that pierces skin of the user-patient, a manualinsertion of the needle into the patient-user can be somewhat traumaticto the user-patient. Accordingly, insertion mechanisms have been made toassist the insertion of a needle into the user-patient, whereby a needleis forced by a spring to move quickly from a retracted position into anextended position. As the needle is moved into the extended position,the needle is quickly forced through the skin of the user-patient in asingle, relatively abrupt motion that can be less traumatic to certainuser-patients as compared to a slower, manual insertion of a needle.While a quick thrust of the needle into the skin of the user-patient maybe less traumatic to some user-patients than a manual insertion, it isbelieved that, in some contexts, some user-patients may feel less traumaif the needle is moved a very slow, steady pace.

Examples of insertion mechanisms that may be used with and may be builtinto a delivery device are described in: U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/645,435, filed Dec. 26, 2006, titled “Infusion Medium Deliverysystem, Device And Method With Needle Inserter And Needle InserterDevice And Method,”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/211,095,filed Aug. 23, 2005, titled “Infusion Device And Method With DisposablePortion” (each of which is assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Other examples of insertion tools are described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2002/0022855, titled “Insertion Device ForAn Insertion Set And Method Of Using The Same” (assigned to the assigneeof the present invention), which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. Other examples of needle/cannula insertion tools that maybe used (or modified for use) to insert a needle and/or cannula, aredescribed in, for example U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/389,132filed Mar. 14, 2003, and entitled “Auto Insertion Device For SilhouetteOr Similar Products,” and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/314,653filed Dec. 9, 2002, and entitled “Insertion Device For Insertion Set andMethod of Using the Same,” both of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

In addition to difficulties with insertion of infusion sets the fillingof a reservoir for an external pump system can provide further anxietyor consternation for some user-patients. The process of filling areservoir before installing the reservoir in an external infusion pumpcan be time consuming and difficult for some user-patients. In anembodiment where the reservoir is filled with insulin a number of issuescan complicate the filling of a reservoir. These complications have apotential to cause issues from relatively benign aesthetic issues topotentially inaccurate delivery of insulin from the infusion system.

Pump-type delivery devices can allow accurate doses of insulin to becalculated and delivered automatically to a patient-user at any timeduring the day or night. Furthermore, when used in conjunction withglucose sensors or monitors, insulin pumps may be automaticallycontrolled to provide appropriate doses of infusion medium atappropriate times of need, based on sensed or monitored levels of bloodglucose.

Pump-type delivery devices have become an important aspect of modernmedical treatments of various types of medical conditions, such asdiabetes. As pump technologies improve and as doctors and patient-usersbecome more familiar with such devices, the popularity of externalmedical infusion pump treatment increases and is expected to increasesubstantially over the next decade.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A system to automatically fill a reservoir for a portable medical deviceis disclosed. The system includes a vial sealed with a septum that ispartially filled with a liquid and a gas occupying a headspace. Thesystem further includes a reservoir with a reservoir volume definedbetween a reservoir port sealed with a reservoir septum and a plungerhead. The plunger head coupled to a plunger arm and the plunger armcoupled to a drive system defined to move the plunger arm within achamber. The transfer system further has a vial end defined to piercethe vial septum and remain in contact with the liquid and a reservoirend defined to pierce the reservoir septum and remain in the reservoirvolume. A degas system is included with the system to elevate thetemperature of the liquid before the liquid enters the reservoir. Acontroller coupled to the drive system actuates the drive system toautomatically draw the fluid from the vial to the reservoir through thedegas system.

In another embodiment a different system to automatically fill areservoir for a portable medical device is disclosed. The systemincludes a vial sealed with a septum partially filled with a liquid anda gas occupying a headspace. A reservoir is included with the system,the reservoir having a reservoir volume defined between a reservoir portsealed with a septum and a plunger head, the plunger head coupled to aplunger arm, the plunger arm coupled to a drive system defined to movethe plunger arm within a chamber. The system further includes a firstdegas system having a temperature system to elevate the liquidtemperature before the liquid enters the reservoir. A second degassystem is included with the system. The second gas system includes avalve end coupled to a check valve, the second degas system furtherhaving a headspace end defined to pierce the vial septum, the headspaceend being positioned in the headspace, the check valve further beingcoupled to a vacuum system. The system further includes a transfersystem with a vial end defined to pierce the vial septum and remain incontact with the liquid and a reservoir end defined to pierce thereservoir septum and remain in the reservoir volume. A controllercoupled to the drive system and the valved system is included with thesystem. The controller actuates the valved system to automatically drawa partial vacuum within the vial for a period of time before the drivesystem is automatically actuated to draw the fluid from the vial to thereservoir.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, variousfeatures of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will be made withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designatecorresponding parts in the several figures.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are exemplary illustrations of components of anautomated reservoir fill system, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified block diagrams illustrating automation ofa reservoir filling system in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic illustrations of various degassing systems foruse with the automated reservoir filling system, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified illustrations of an alternativeembodiment for an automated reservoir filling system, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings with the associated description the inventionrelates to the automated transfer between a vial and a reservoir whileminimizing the likelihood that bubbles will appear in the reservoir.Accordingly, the invention utilizes some commonly sourced disposablemedical supplies such as vials containing fluid media such as, but notlimited to insulin. The manual transfer of fluid media from a vial tothe reservoir has generated discussion regarding simplification of theprocess along with improvements to minimize formation of air bubbleswithin the reservoir.

In some embodiments the reservoir is used with an external infusion pumpwhere it may take an external infusion pump as long as three days toexhaust the fluid contained in a reservoir. Once exhausted, the emptyreservoir is discarded and a new reservoir must be filled and installedinto the external infusion pump. In other embodiments larger or smallerreservoirs may be used along with various infusion rates to shorten orprolong the rate at which reservoirs must be discarded and filled. Inembodiments where insulin is being infused the insulin may be stable inthe reservoir for up to three days. After three days the efficacy of theinsulin may decrease thereby resulting in ineffective dosing andtreatment.

The insulin used to fill the reservoir is generally supplied in standardinsulin vials, such as those used by individuals using periodicinjection. Accordingly, the vial of insulin used to fill the reservoirmost likely contains enough insulin to fill multiple reservoirs. Toprolong efficacy of insulin within the vial it is common to store thevial at refrigerated temperatures. Refrigeration in conjunction with airtrapped in the headspace above the insulin contributes to air becomingdissolved within the insulin. If the insulin is not properly degassed itis possible for air dissolved in insulin to come out of solution with anincrease in temperature or a decrease in pressure. A simple method topartially degas the chilled insulin is to simply let the insulin warm upto room temperature. While instruction manuals, user guides and quickreference guides can all recommend letting insulin reach roomtemperature before filling a reservoir, it can take an unacceptableamount of time for a vial to reach room temperature. With hectic workand social lives many people do not have the time or patience to waitfor a vial to reach room temperature and simply fill a reservoir withinsulin straight from the refrigerator or possibly slightly warmed via avariety of methods.

Thus, while a reservoir filled with chilled insulin may be bubble free,as the insulin warms to room temperature the dissolved gasses may comeout of solution resulting in a reservoir with small air bubbles. In someinstances the air bubbles pose no hazard and can be viewed as anaesthetic issue. In other instances, if enough air comes out of solutiona large air bubbles can introduce elasticity in the infusion systemthereby compromising treatment if proper dosages are not beingadministered. Additionally, air bubbles may also pose a safety risk to auser. Accordingly, an automated reservoir fill system that is able todegas the fluid to compensate for temperature differences could greatlysimplify and streamline reservoir filling while mitigating a potentialpitfall of air bubbles in the infusion system.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are exemplary illustrations of components of anautomated reservoir fill system in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. Both FIGS. 1A and 1B include a vial 100 partiallyfilled with a fluid 114 leaving a headspace 112. Each vial 100 has avial port 116 sealed with a vial septum 118. The vial septum 118 may beconfigured to prevent fluid flow out of the vial port 116 and in someembodiments is a self-sealing septum. Additionally, FIGS. 1A and 1B bothinclude a reservoir 102 having a reservoir volume 121 defined between areservoir port 120 sealed by a reservoir septum 122 and a plunger head124. The reservoir septum 122 may be configured to prevent fluid flowout of the reservoir port 120 and in some embodiments is a self-sealingseptum. A plunger arm 126 having a plunger base 128 is removably coupledto the plunger head 124. The reservoir volume 121 may be increased ordecreased by moving the plunger head 124 within the reservoir 102 viathe plunger base 128.

A transfer system 106 includes a first degas system 104, a vial end 108and a reservoir end 110. Both the vial end 108 and the reservoir end 110are defined to pierce the vial septum 118 and reservoir septum 122respectively. The transfer system 106 enables fluid transfer from thevial 100 to the reservoir 102 through the first degas system 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 1A, to prepare the system for fluid transfer betweenthe vial 100 and the reservoir 102, the vial 100 is positioned so theheadspace is substantially opposite the vial port 116. The vial end 108is inserted through the vial septum 118 and positioned within the fluid114. Similarly, the reservoir end 110 pierces the reservoir septum 122and is positioned within the reservoir volume 121. Elements shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B are intended to be simplified illustration and shouldnot be considered limiting. For example, the transfer system 106 shouldnot be construed as only being a straight pass through the degas system104. In other embodiments the vial end 108 and the reservoir end 110 maybe connected to flexible or rigid tubing that allows the reservoir to bein various positions rather than in-line with the vial as shown in FIGS.1A and 1B.

FIG. 1B further includes a second degas system that includes a vacuum134 connected to a check valve 132 that is connected to a headspace end130. The headspace end 130 is defined to pierce the vial septum and bepositioned within the headspace 112. The second degas system allows apartial vacuum to be drawn within the vial 100 thereby further degassingthe fluid 114. In some embodiments the check valve 132 opens and allowsthe vacuum 134 to draw a partial vacuum within the vial. Variousembodiments allow the vacuum to be drawn for between five and thirtyseconds to degas the fluid. The check valve 132 can be closed before thefluid 114 is transferred from the vial 100 to the reservoir 102 via thetransfer system 106. As will be discussed later the transfer system 106can contribute to further degassing of the fluid 114 before it entersthe reservoir 102.

In another embodiment of FIG. 1B the vacuum 134 (run in reverse) and thecheck valve 132 are used to pressurize the headspace 112 within the vial100. The pressurization of the headspace 112 can assist in transferringfluid 114 from the vial 100 into the reservoir 102. In such embodimentsthe degas system 104 may be modified to accommodate any additionaldegassing of the fluid required to compensate for any increase indissolved gas from the pressurization of the headspace.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are simplified block diagrams illustrating automation ofa reservoir filling system in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. Automation of the elements shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B can beaccomplished using a controller 200 to effectively time and executedegassing and filling the reservoir 102 from the vial 100. In FIG. 2Athe controller is coupled to a drive 202 and the drive 202 is coupledwith the plunger base 128. Activation of the controller initiates thedrive 202 to pull the plunger base 128 thereby drawing fluid from thevial 100 through the degas system 104 and into the reservoir 102. InFIG. 2B the controller 200 is coupled to the drive 202 along with thevacuum 134 and vacuum 134 is coupled with apparatus described in FIG. 1Bto draw a vacuum within the vial 100. In these embodiments thecontroller 200 activates the vacuum drawing a vacuum within the vial fora specified period of time. Once the specified time period has lapsed,the controller 200 activates the drive 202 in order to draw degassedfluid from the vial 100 through the degas system 104 and into thereservoir 102.

In some embodiments the controller 200 is a purely mechanical devicerelying on resettable or rewindable springs for power. Accordingly, thedrive 202 would be mechanical and releasing of a spring or othermechanical energy storage device would initiate an automated fillprocess in accordance with either FIG. 2A or 2B. In other embodimentsthe controller 200 may be coupled to an electrical power supply such asa battery, solar cells or even plugged into a wall socket. In theseembodiments feedback loops and additional sensors may be used to furtherrefine performance of the automated fill system.

FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic illustrations of various degassing systems foruse with the automated reservoir filling system, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows the degas system 103where the transfer system 106 passes through a heating element 300. Theheating element 300 is within close proximity to the transfer system 106so as to warm the fluid, thereby degassing the fluid, as the fluidtraverses through the degas system. Accordingly, the length of the degassystem can be influenced by the maximum increase in temperature desired,the rate and volume at which fluid is drawn through the degas system, orthe energy supplied to the heating element 300. Energy may be suppliedto the heating element 300 in the form of electrical, chemical,magnetic, mechanical or the like. While FIG. 3A shows the heatingelement 300 wrapped around the transfer system 106, other embodimentscould have heating elements placed in close proximity but not completelysurrounding the transfer system 106.

FIG. 3B is a schematic illustrating a degas system 104 that does notrely on auxiliary heating elements. This embodiment can be used inpurely mechanical systems because it does not rely on external power todegas the fluid. In this embodiments the fluid enters the degas system104 via an inlet 304 a with a first diameter D1. The fluid flows througha temperature path 302 and eventually exits via outlet 304 b with asecond diameter D2. Depending on the desired increase in temperature thechange in diameters can be determined for a desired flow rate. Inanother embodiment similar to FIG. 3B, if D1 and D2 remain the same, itwould be possible to obtain degassing of the fluid via an increase intemperature via a convoluted temperature pathway 302 via friction withthe pathway. In the embodiments discussed with FIG. 3B the design of thetemperature pathway 302 along with potential changes in diameter providedegassing as the fluid is drawn through the degas system 104. This canbe highly advantageous in designing and building robust purelymechanical systems for use in areas with unreliable power such as remoteareas or emergency medical situations following natural disasters.

FIG. 3C is a cross-section schematic illustration of an exemplary degassystem 104, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thedegas system 104 in FIG. 3C is a combination of the degas systems inFIGS. 3A and 3B. The heating element 300 is shown as if it was across-sectional view wrapped around a volume 306 containing thetemperature path 302. The temperature path 302 is defined with an inlethaving a diameter D1 and an outlet having a diameter D2 that can degasfluid via temperature increase as the fluid is pulled through the degassystem. In addition to the temperature increase from the temperaturepath 302, the heating element 300 can further increase the temperatureof the fluid to provide additional degassing. As described with FIG. 3B,some embodiments may rely on friction between the fluid and a convolutedtemperature path 302 to increase the temperature while D1 and D2 remainthe same. In some embodiments a maximum temperature increase isdetermined so as to not take temperature sensitive fluid beyond aspecified preferred temperature. Thus, specific design of D1 and D2 inconjunction with or without a temperature pathway 302 can result in amaximum temperature increase. The maximum temperature increase can helppreserve efficacy of temperature sensitive medicaments while they arebeing transferred into the reservoir.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3C is well suited for an automatedreservoir filling system with feedback to the controller as described inFIG. 2B. In some embodiments optional temperature sensors detect thetemperature of the fluid as it enters and exits the degas system. Basedon the fluid being infused, the controller is programmed with an idealdegassing temperature. The controller is further programmed withinstructions to determine if the maximum temperature change from thetemperature path 302 and change from D1 to D2 will be sufficient toreach the ideal degassing temperature. If necessary, the controller willfurther be programmed to activate the heating element 300 to compensatefor any shortcomings of the temperature path 302.

In other embodiments, the controller is able to control the rate atwhich drive system pulls fluid through the degas system 104. In theseembodiments it may not be necessary to include the change in diameterfrom D1 to D2 or the temperature path 302. Being able to control thedrive system, and therefore the rate fluid is pulled through the degassystem 104, in conjunction with heating element 300, and further inconjunction with temperature sensors at the input and output of thedegas system 104 means the programmer can ensure the fluid achieves anideal degassing temperature.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified illustrations of an alternativeembodiment for an automated reservoir filling system, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a reservoir 102coupled with a transfer system 106′ that include a check valve 132. Alsocoupled to the transfer system 106′ is a vial 100 partially filled withfluid 114 and having head space 112. The vial 100 is in contact with anagitator 402. The agitator 402 can assist in degassing the fluid 114 byvibrating the fluid. Though not shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, anagitator 402 can be incorporated into those systems to further improvedegassing. In some embodiments the agitator 402 is a plate or panel thatvibrates while in other embodiments the agitator 402 is an ultrasonicemitter. In still other embodiments other electro-mechanical,mechanical, acoustic systems or combinations thereof may be used as theagitator 402. The transfer system 106′ of FIG. 4A is similar to thetransfer system 106 in FIG. 1A. In addition to the transfer system 106in FIG. 1A, transfer system 106′ includes a check valve to incorporatethe vacuum system 134. This embodiment reduces the number of elementspiercing the respective vials as shown in FIG. 1B.

To degas the fluid 114 using the system shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, thevial 114 is placed on the agitator and coupled to the transfer system106′. The reservoir 102 is also coupled with the transfer system 106′.In some embodiments, the check valve 132 is opened enabling fluid flowbetween the vial 100 and the reservoir 102. A controller is activated sothe agitator is activated while air in the head space 112 is drawnthrough the transfer system 106′ into the reservoir 102. This creates apartial vacuum in the headspace 112 and degasses the fluid 114. After asufficient period of time has passed to degas the fluid 114, the checkvalve 132 positioned to maintain the partial vacuum in the vial 100while allowing the gas drawn into the reservoir 102 to be expelled. Thecontroller (not shown for simplicity) then rotates the entire apparatusto the position shown in FIG. 4B. This places the vial 100 above thereservoir 102 and the fluid 114 in contact with the transfer system106′. The controller positions the check valve 132 to enable fluid flowinto the reservoir 102 and the drive system draws the plunger of thereservoir pulling degassed fluid from the vial 100 through the transfersystem 106′ into the reservoir 102.

In other embodiments, an optional vacuum 134 is further coupled to thecheck valve 132 thereby requiring actuation of the reservoir plungeronce, only when fluid is transferred from the vial 100 to the reservoir102. The use of the optional vacuum 134 can ensure a more consistentpartial vacuum is drawn thereby providing more thorough degassing.

The descriptions provided above are intended to be exemplary. Multipleembodiments of the degas system were described and the respectiveembodiments may be implemented with at least any of the systemsdiscussed. Additionally, in other embodiments multiple degas systemswith or without an agitator may be used in serial or in parallel todegas the fluid. Furthermore, multiple automation techniques weredescribed. The automation techniques are intended to be construed asexemplary rather than restrictive. Combinations of mechanical,electro-mechanical and other forms of powered automation should beconsidered within the scope of the disclosure. While the descriptionabove refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it willbe understood that many modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover suchmodifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system to automatically fill a reservoir for aportable medical device comprising: a vial having an exterior surfaceand an interior vial volume partially filled with a liquid at atemperature and a gas, the gas occupying a headspace, the vial furtherhaving a vial port sealed with a vial septum; a reservoir having areservoir volume defined between a reservoir port and a plunger head,the plunger head coupled to a plunger arm, the plunger arm coupled to adrive system defined to move the plunger arm within a chamber, thereservoir port being sealed by a reservoir septum; a transfer systemhaving a vial end defined to pierce the vial septum and remain incontact with the liquid, the transfer system further having a reservoirend defined to pierce the reservoir septum and remain in the reservoirvolume, the transfer system adapted to enable continuous fluid flowbetween the vial and the reservoir during filling of the reservoir andadapted to be removable from the reservoir after filling of thereservoir; a degas system defined to draw a vacuum on the headspacewithin the vial via the drive system; an agitator coupled to theexterior of the vial and not in contact with the interior vial volume ofthe vial, the agitator defined to introduce pulses from the exterior ofthe vial to assist in degassing the liquid in the vial; and a controllercoupled to the drive system, the controller defined to actuate theagitator while air in the headspace is drawn through the transfer systemto draw a partial vacuum on the headspace through the degas system andto degas the liquid in the vial, the controller further defined toactuate the drive system to draw the degassed liquid from the vialthrough the transfer system into the reservoir.
 2. A system as definedin claim 1, wherein the transfer system further includes a check valvecoupled to the controller and a vacuum coupled to the check valve,wherein the controller is defined to actuate the vacuum for a specifiedperiod of time so the partial vacuum is drawn on the headspace for aspecified period of time.
 3. A system as defined in claim 2, whereinafter the specified period of time has lapsed, the controller is definedto actuate the check valve and the drive system to draw the degassedliquid from the vial into the reservoir.
 4. A system as defined in claim1, wherein the transfer system further includes a check valve coupledwith the controller, and wherein the controller actuates the check valveand the drive system to maintain the partial vacuum drawn on theheadspace in the vial and to expel a gas from the reservoir.
 5. A systemas defined in claim 4, wherein the controller actuates the check valveand the drive system to draw the degassed liquid from the vial into thereservoir.